Review | Reign Of Glory – Slingshot

Roxx Records

Some albums don’t aim to follow trends or the mainstream; they simply are what they are.`Slingshot’, the sophomore release from Christian metallers Reign of Glory, proudly stands in that space. It’s a record that pulls no punches, delivers with conviction, and plays straight from the heart, anchored by the band’s message of faith and their collective mastery of melodic metal.

THE LINE-UP

Formed by seasoned musicians with deep roots in Christian and contemporary hard rock, Reign of Glory operates on the strength of its authenticity. Powerhouse vocalist Mark Boals, hailed for his work with Yngwie Malmsteen and Ring of Fire (amongst many others), delivers masterful performance. His voice is an instrument of power and range, soaring over the band’s tight arrangements and memorable choruses. Former Q5 guitarist Nick Layton brings a deeply melodic and aggressive touch, laying down crisp riffs and jagged chords, with solos that cut with precision and fire.

Roger Dale Martin, the bass player who shaped the DNA of Christian metal in the late 80s with his bands Vengeance Rising and Die Happy, grounds the album with a muscular low end. Behind him, Jeffrey McCormack (TKO, Fifth Angel, Q5, Heir Apparent, Nightshade, Bloodgood) holds the reins with mature drumming that forcefully energizes, shifting from galloping double-kicks to tasteful, restrained grooves and powerful dynamics. Together with Martin he provides the powerful groove that propels the songs and shift the gears when needed.

US POWER METAL EDGE

`Slingshot’ opens with a punch when ,,Hold On” sets in, immediately evoking the (US) power-metal edge of their debut `All will Bow’ while stepping deeper into classic melodic territory. There’s a noticeable clean polish to the production that is powerful and isn’t sterile. The mood is that of a brooding club, with the band firing on all engines. The guitar tone bites and is open enough to allow the vocals to breathe. Layton’s solo is impressive, and the mid-section of the song it shifts shape briefly seeing him exercise his arpeggio skills with slick alternation.

The rhythm section locks in tight, driving forward ,,Hold On” and songs like the powerful ,,Unholy Prophet”, the brooding slow-paced ,,Unashamed” and the mid-tempo burner ,,Too Close to Midnight” with weight and resolve.

What makes this album tick, beyond the players’ undeniable chemistry, is its consistency and powerful delivery. A track like the pace shifting ,,Higher Ground” with Boals’ soaring vocals at the helm, is a calling card of the band’s creative prowess. There are no weak tracks to be found here. Tracks like the anthemic ,,More Than a Memory” and guitar driven ,,Shout” combine soaring choruses with clean, anthemic songwriting, reminiscent of the glory days of arena rock, but filtered through a heavier, spiritually charged lens. ,,Shout” is the instant crowd pleaser, crossing genres, while both tracks display Layton’s impressive skills delivering nesting riffs and guitar melodies in chops.

THE CHRISTIAN HYMN

The title track, ,,Slingshot of Faith”, is a clear highlight built around the rallying cry of belief, it fuses metal’s fire with gospel’s message, framed by a powerful melodic hook and Layton’s blazing fretwork. He is all over the place but remains the player locking in on the melodies and general output of the track, while exploring his fretboard and picking skills. The throbbing low-end bass of Martin is equally impressive, with McCormack laying down the unshakeable foundation. Boals crooning and moaning, belting out the lyrics towards its towering hook.

Searing with unbridled distortion, ,,Holy, Holy, Holy” is opened with classic themes executed on solo guitar, before the song plunges into the deep. The Christian Hymn falls somewhat out of place on the album, although each member gets to highlight the song’s spirited liturgy and Mark pitching extremely high notes. It warps into the wonderful ,,Shattered Chains”, with its slow burning mode, is wonderful guitar melodies underneath the memorable vocal melodies, and the throbbing bass and versatile drum discharge.

REIGN OF GLORY – THE CONCLUSION

Yet, as tight and professional as the execution is, there’s a sense that `Slingshot’ plays safe. The songs are extremely well-crafted; the arrangements are smart and immediately clinging to you, but they rarely push into unfamiliar territory. Rather than reimagining melodic metal, the band double downs on its compositional strengths, fusing faith, feeling, and flawless delivery. That won’t bother purists or longtime fans of the genre, though listeners seeking experimentation will find the terrain too familiar.

Still, it’s impossible to overlook the passion and musical marksmanship behind this album. Reign of Glory isn’t here to dress up their faith in metaphors, they deplete with passion. The lyrics are direct, which (as always) can either be a source of inspiration or a barrier to prejudice. Reign of Glory is no nostalgia act, they celebrate a time when metal was majestic, when vocals soared, and choruses were shouted from rooftops by legions on metal heads. Reign of Glory does it with such genuine heart that it becomes hard not to root for them.

`Slingshot’ might not revolutionize melodic metal, but it will reinvigorate it with passion and purpose, for riff-lovers alike fired up by faith. Great album!

Release date: 18 July 2025